Another complicated issue, complicated even more by the need to put profit above all. Why not donate the returns to charity shops, or sell them in bulk to resellers who know how to sell things with slight damage (there are plenty like that)? There are solutions.
That said, it is true that free shipping/returns has an environmental cost. I am just not in the position to offset that impact compared to the construction of malls, travel to malls, shipping the items to the local malls and so on. Meanwhile, for lack of a big solution, we can all do are best to provide lots of little solutions as we can.

I don't mind stores being a little more strict with their return policy. I know that Anthro has a shorter return window than they used to. Some smaller places have only a 14-day return window. And I think it's OK to require receipts and refuse to accept returns if the items appear to have been worn. They have to make money, after all.

But I do get angry if the store has a problem with my ordering two or three sizes of something because I'm not sure which will fit, especially when they make no effort to give measurements on their website. They should have extensive product measurements from the factories that made the clothes; I don't know why that can't be put on the product page. I know that that would save me much hassle in determining which size to order. This seems like common sense, yet few online retailers do it. Maybe I'm naive and customers wouldn't look at the information?

And I agree that knowing the model's height and size tells me squat. Not only that, but you still can't know whether they used clips to change the shape of the garment to fit the model's body shape, which pretty much makes it impossible to tell whether the garment will fit you, since you don't see an accurate rendition of the item.

I find the model’s height and size she’s wearing somewhat helpful—I noted that the model wearing a skirt I posted about considering recently is a little shorter than I am, so the skirt would end further up my leg than hers. More info (measurements, not weight, because weight can be distributed very differently) on the body wearing the outfit would be helpful, but where would it end, and does every model want her stats broadcast that way?

I loathe shopping for clothes online, absolutely loathe it. It always feels like such a huge risk to me. Guessing size, having multiples sitting on my card, how long to the refund, will I get my package, when can I get to the post to return, will the item even be what was shown online... I’m sad because the only way, it seems, to get anything at all is to order online. I mean, I couldn’t even get a white toaster in a store...

I find provided measurements insufficient, flawed, or just plain wrong often enough that I take them as a general guideline only. And sizing for tops on Nordstrom’s site often runs something like: S = 4-6, M = 8-10 which puts me on the cusp, so I dither about it until the item sells out in one size and forces my hand, LOL.

I hate the idea that any designer or retailer is destroying returned or excess stock. Hugely wasteful. That practice needs to die.

I must admit I am little confused with this returns going to landfills concept. How come things pop up back in stock? I always assumed it is due to returns being processed. Am I delusional?